Deputy President calls for harsher measures at the launch of 16 Days of Activism against GBV

Johnathan Paoli

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called for harsh sentences against people who are found guilty of murdering and abusing women and children.

Mashatile was speaking on Saturday, during the launch of 16 Days of Activism Campaign for No Violence Against Women and Children in Mpumalanga, and said that the courts must apply appropriate sentences against those found guilty of GBV.

“The State must be tough on violence against women and children. They must mete out appropriate sentences. We call on our courts not to be soft on perpetrators,” Mashatile said.

Mashatile highlighted three important pieces of legislation that President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law last year, namely the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Bill, the Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Bill and the Domestic Violence Amendment Bill.

The bills had been tabled in Parliament by Justice Minister Ronald Lamola in 2020 following a huge public